3 minute thesis canada

Centre for Graduate Professional Development

Three minute thesis (3mt), what is the three minute thesis (3mt).

Your graduate research. 3 minutes. 1 slide.

Every year the University of Toronto hosts the Three Minute Thesis Competition (3MT®), a competition in which graduate students present their work to a generalist audience in 3 minutes using only one static slide.

2024 3MT Winners and Finalists

Congratulations to the 2024 3MT winners and finalists!

First Place and People’s Choice Daniil Lisus Institute of Aerospace Studies, Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering “Helping Autonomous Cars See What Our Eyes Can’t”

Second Place Emaad Paracha Department of Physics, Faculty of Arts & Science “Detecting Dark Matter in Galaxy Clusters from the Stratosphere”

Third Place Angel Badewole Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering “Assessing the Environmental Impacts of an Innovative Chemical Production Pathway”

3MT Final Program

Watch / Listen to the 2024 3MT Winners

3MT in the News

2023 U of T 3MT winner Emily Majaesic wins first place at the Ontario Regional competition

Emily Majaesic with SGS Dean Joshua Barker at the Ontario Regional final held at Queen’s University

2024 3MT Competition Schedule

Why you should participate in the 3mt.

Improve your oral presentation skills, profile your research, and learn about our community’s cutting-edge ideas.

• Present your 3MT to generalist audiences at the University of Toronto.
• Winning the University of Toronto 3MT finals will allow you to compete at the provincial level.
• You can even advance to showcase your research at the national and international level.

In addition to the opportunity to improve your communication skills and showcase your research, there are prizes for 3MT winners: $1000 for first place, $500 for second place, $250 for third place, and $200 for the people’s choice winner, paid into your student account.

Ready to Apply?

Learn more about the 3MT competition.

Complete the registration form and take part in a preliminary heat.

Attend and cheer on your peers in the U of T 3MT Heats, Semi-Finals, and Finals.

Eligibility, Rules, and Judging Criteria

Eligibility.

• A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted (no slide transitions, animations or ‘movement’ of any description, the slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration)
• No additional electronic media (e.g., sound and video files) are permitted
• No additional props (e.g., costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted
• Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum and competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified
• Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g., no poems, raps, or songs)
• Presentations are to commence from the stage
• Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through movement or speech
• The decision of the adjudicating panel is final

Judging Criteria

Presentations will be assessed according to the criteria listed below. Please note that each criterion is equally weighted.

• Comprehension and content
• Engagement and communication
• Presentation provided clear background and significance to the research question
• Presentation clearly described the research strategy/design and the results/findings of the research
• Presentation clearly described the conclusions, outcomes, and impact of the research
• The oration was delivered clearly, and the language was appropriate for a non-specialist audience
• The PowerPoint slide was well-defined and enhanced the presentation
• The presenter conveyed enthusiasm for their research and captured and maintained the audience’s attention

How 3MT Works

Competitors progress from the preliminary heats to the semi-finals and then to the finals. The judges will award first, second, and third place, while the audience’s favourite presentation is awarded the people’s choice.

Competition Levels at a Glance

• This 3MT competition is hosted by the School of Graduate Studies. Competitors begin in the preliminary heats and may advance to the semi-finals and finals.
• The winner of the University of Toronto 3MT competes at the Ontario provincial competition, hosted by a different Ontario university each year.
• The Canadian Association for Graduate Studies (CAGS) hosts the top finalists from each of the provincial competitions (Western, Ontario, Eastern) to compete in an online format. The video recordings of the finalists’ presentations are played and judged.
• The winner of the University of Toronto 3MT competes internationally. The NAGS competition brings together the 3MT winners of universities across the provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Quebec, and the American states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington, D.C. Competitors present live in front of a panel of judges.
• The Council of Graduate Studies hosts a North America-wide 3MT showcase with the winners from the southern, western, midwestern, and northeastern regions presenting their 3MT orations and participating in a roundtable discussion. The audience is then given a chance to confer a People’s Choice Award.

Frequently Asked Questions

Other questions? Contact us at [email protected]

I’ve registered but don’t know which heat I’m in. How can I find out?

We will email you your heat date and a link to submit your slide. But you are encouraged to begin working on your slide and practicing your presentation before then. 

Can I change my slide and presentation between rounds (e.g., for the semi-finals or finals)?

Yes! We encourage you to make changes and incorporate judges’ feedback as you advance through the stages of the competition.

I participated in my department’s 3MT this year. Am I also allowed to participate in the University-wide 3MT?

Yes, all graduate students may participate in the preliminary heats subject to meeting the eligibility requirements.

I am a post-doc. Can I participate in 3MT?

Post-docs are not eligible to take part in the main 3MT competition. We are working on a new program that will allow post-docs to participate in a similar initiative. Stay tuned!

Training and Resources

• University of Toronto Resources
• External Resources
• Workshop: Preparing Your 3MT Presentation by Dr. Cristina D’Amico, 2016 U of T 3MT winner
• GCAC Oral Presentation Skills Courses – Courses are available in different formats and for different audiences
• U of T Libraries Workshop: Visual Literacy: Interpreting and Evaluating Images (Maps, Charts, Diagrams, Photographs) for Research and Publishing
• Data Visualization – An Introduction (Part 1 – Theory and Critique)
• Data Visualization – An Introduction (Part 2 – Practice with Tableau)
• Making the Most of Your Three Minutes by Simon Clews, Director, Writing Centre, University of Melbourne
• How to Talk About Your Thesis in 3 Minutes by Inger Mewburn (RMIT)
• Communicating Your Research in Lay Language by Christian A Linte,  IEEE Engineering in Medicine & Biology Magazine , May / June 2009
• 3MT Presentation: Now You See It by Rosanna Stevens, ANU TV, 2014
• 3MT: Three Tips to Help You Prepare a Winning Presentation by Rosanna Stevens, ANU TV , 2015

Return to the CGPD homepage

• About the Canadian Association for Graduate Studies
• Board of Directors
• Key Dates and Events
• Canadian Graduate and Professional Student Survey (CGPSS)
• CAGS Publications
• Statistical Reports
• The Canadian Association for Graduate Studies (Re)conciliation Task Force Report 2022
• CAGS Task Force on Excellence in Graduate Programs – Final Report 2022
• Annual Conference
• 2024 CAGS Summer Leadership Program
• CAGS-ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Award
• Dr. Suning Wang Award for Outstanding Graduate Mentorship
• National 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) Showcase
• Graduate Student Experience Award
• Rethinking the PHD

Select Page

National 3-MINUTE Thesis Competition

Canadian Graduate Student Atia Amin of McGill University Wins 2022 North American 3MT Competition

by cags | Dec 13, 2022 | 3MT® , CAGS News , FEATURE POST SLIDER

  The first place prize at the 2022 North American 3MT Competition has been won by Canadian...

A Master’s student in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Concordia University has been named Canada’s Three Minute Thesis (3MT) champion.

by cags | Jun 12, 2019 | 3MT® , CAGS News

CAGS is pleased to announce the People’s Choice winner for this year’s Canada’s 3MT competition.

12 Canadian 3MT® Finalists. The winner of the People’s Choice Award is up to You!

by cags | May 10, 2019 | 3MT®

2018 National 3-Minute Thesis Competition

by cags | Jun 6, 2018 | 3MT® , Prizes

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Three Minute Thesis (3MT)

What is 3mt.

Do you want to learn how to share your cutting-edge research?

• 3MT (Three Minute Thesis) is an international research symposium where graduate researchers from across disciplines are invited to share their research in three minutes.
• It’s an opportunity to develop a valuable skill-set: to communicate complex ideas in a concise, clear, and engaging way.
• It’s a chance to present your thesis, MRP, or dissertation work to people from beyond your discipline.
• A panel of judges will select one researcher to represent York at the provincial finals… but that’s just gravy.

Why should you participate?

• Hone your presentation skills for the classroom, the boardroom, and beyond.
• Perfect your elevator pitch – hone a compelling explanation of your work that can be used for conferencing, networking, and grant proposal writing.
• Present your work in a lively forum with compelling research from across the university.

What is required?

In short… not much!

• Prepare  one  PowerPoint slide and a three-minute presentation
• Attend one of two  York University 3MT Heats  to workshop your presentation
• Deliver your three minute presentation at the  York University 3MT Reception

Each university hosts an internal event and the winner will be invited to the  Ontario Three Minutes Thesis .

• 1 st  place:  $1,000  (Additionally, winner will receive a travel honorarium to attend finals in Windsor)
• 2 nd  place:  $500
• 3 rd  place:  $250
• People's Choice:  $250

POWERPOINT SLIDES AND 3MT TITLE

Current York University graduate students are invited to be 3MT competitors if they meet the following conditions:

• Students must be registered in a research-based Master's (Thesis or MRP) or PhD program at the time of the 3MT competition, and must have made substantial progress on their research and analysis. Course-based Masters students are ineligible.
• PhD and Masters students who have defended, but have not yet convocated at the time of the York University 3MT competition, are eligible to participate.
• 3MT presentations must represent the primary research the student is conducting in his/her graduate program (i.e. thesis, dissertation, or MRP research).
• Presenters must agree to be video-recorded, and to allow those recordings to be made public ( Note:  This applies only to the winning student who participates in the Provincial Finals. York's internal 3MT competition will not be videotaped).
• No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) is permitted.
• No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
• Presentations are limited to three minutes maximum and competitors exceeding three minutes are disqualified.
• Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps or songs).
• Presentations are to commence from the stage.
• Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through either movement or speech.
• The decision of the judging panel is final.

Presentations will be judged on the basis of the following:

• Did the presenter use language and terminology that was clear and understandable?
• Was the pace of the talk effective?
• Did the presenter use non-verbal communication (i.e. eye contact, voice modulation, body language, etc.) effectively?
• Did the slide enhance, rather than detract from, the talk – was it clear, legible, and concise?
• Did the talk help you to understand the scholarly research and creativity?
• Did the presenter clearly outline the nature and purpose of the scholarly research and creativity?
• Did the presenter clearly indicate what is interesting about the scholarly research and creativity?
• Did the talk follow a logical sequence?
• Was the talk engaging?
• Did the talk inspire you to want to know more?
• Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their work?
• Did the presenter capture and maintain your attention?

Students must understand that the presentation of their research in 3MT will be publicly accessible (i.e., in the public domain).

The presentation of the research will not affect any pre-existing rights following the competition, except as stated below:

• Due to the nature of the competition, we will not ask judges, reviewers, staff, or the audience to sign non-disclosure agreements. If your research is being/has been conducted under contract with an outside sponsor, students should discuss the related contractual terms of confidentiality and intellectual property with their supervisor(s) before entering the 3MT.
• All public sessions of the competition, including but not limited to oral presentations, are open to the public at large. Any and all of these public sessions may be broadcast to interested persons through a variety of media, including the internet.
• Any data or information discussed or presented in public sessions should be considered ‘public.’ If your research includes confidential or culturally sensitive material, students should discuss your competition entry with their supervisor(s) before entering the 3MT.

Provincial and National Events

The winner from York's finals is invited to attend the 3MT Ontario Competition. This is a great opportunity to showcase your research to a wide range of scholars from across the province. Approximately 20 Ontario universities will be participating this year.

Winning presenters from the Ontario provincial finals are invited to compete in the Canadian national virtual finals hosted by the Canadian Association of Graduate Studies. This competition brings together contestants from the Ontario, Eastern, and Western regional competitions. More information about the 3MT national competition can be found at  CAGS - Three Minute Thesis Competition .

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What proportion of my degree has to have a research component for me to be eligible to compete?

– You are eligible to compete if your degree involves a thesis, major research paper (MRP) or dissertation. If your program is course based, you are not eligible.

I was a student at the time of my competition at my university, but will graduate before the Ontario competition. Am I eligible to enter?

– Yes. If you are eligible at the time of your university’s competition, you will remain eligible for the Ontario competition, regardless of your program status.

I have participated in the Ontario 3MT before. Can I participate more than once?

– Yes. The winner of their university final will be expected to attend the Ontario competition in person as long as they meet the eligibility criteria.

Can I present my oration via Skype?

– No. Participants are expected to attend the York and Ontario competitions in person.

Can I present my oration as a poem, rap or song?

– No, 3MT is primarily about developing students’ oration skills.

Can I use a laser pointer?

– No, a laser pointer is not allowed.

Does my slide have to be in PowerPoint?

– Yes, this ensures it will appear properly on the operating system that will be used.

How many transitions or animations can I have in my slide?

– None. The slide must be static and not change in any way during the presentation. Your slide must be displayed for the duration of your presentation.

Can I use notecards?

– Yes, you are permitted to use notecards during the York University competition. Even if you have your talk memorized, we still encourage you to bring up notes just in case. – However, you will not be permitted to use notecards at the Ontario final.

Will I be able to see a countdown timer during my presentation?

– Yes, a countdown timer will be visible to you at all times.

What happens if my presentation is longer than 3 minutes?

– A countdown timer will be visible to you. If you continue to speak after the timer ends, you risk having points deducted by the judges.

Is there a dress code?

– There is no stipulated dress requirement such as “smart casual”. Please wear whatever is comfortable for you. NO COSTUMES (including hats, masks, etc).

Will my presentation be videorecorded?

– York University's internal 3MT will not be videorecorded. The provincial final (hosted at the University of Windsor) will be videorecorded, and in agreeing to participate in the provincial competition, you are also agreeing to have your presentation videotaped and the video posted online.

Can I win more than one category?

– Yes, it is possible to win a place (1st, runner up etc) and win the People’s Choice Award.

What happens if I cannot attend the Final?

– The winner of each heat or final is expected to represent their School/Institute/Faculty/University at the next stage of the competition. If the winner is unable to attend, the runner-up will proceed to the next round of the competition.

• Three Minute Thesis 101  by the Research Officer, Faculty of Graduate Studies
• 3MT competitor guide  from the University of Queensland. The guide includes useful information about how to prepare for the 3MT, examples of previous slides, and key points to remember when refining your 3MT presentation
• How to talk about your thesis in 3 minutes  by Inger Mewburn. An engaging Prezi presentation on points to consider when putting together your 3MT talk
• How to Win the 3MT  by Dr. Inger Mewburn (aka  @thesiswhisperer ), Director of research training, The Australian National University,  www.thesiswhisperer.com
• Making the Most of Your Three Minutes  by Simon Clews, Director Writing Centre, University of Melbourne
• 10 Hints for Improving Presentations for the Three Minute Thesis Competition , by Danielle Fischer
• 2018 3MT Finals at York - Complete Video
• Watch 3MT presentations from around the world

Questions regarding this event can be directed to the Research Officer by visiting our FGS Staff Directory .

3MT is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. Should you require accommodation in order to meaningfully participate, please contact the Research Officer by visiting our FGS Staff Directory as soon as possible to ensure your accommodation is available.

Connect with FGS

Three-Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition

The 2024 3MT was held on March 27.

Congratulations to first-place winner, Jordan Carrillo Zurita, who also won the Participant's Choice Award; and to Aaliya Pathan who won second place!

Judges: 2024

• Dr. Sean Kheraj, Vice-Provost, Academic; associate professor of Canadian and environmental history at TMU
• Dr. Janet Koprivnikar, Interim Associate Dean, Programs, YSGPS; professor in the department of Chemistry and Biology at TMU
• Angela Misri, Assistant Professor, TMU School of Journalism; journalist and novelist
• Winners' Circle
• Rules and Eligibility
• Coaching Sessions

2023 3MT® Competition

2023 3MT® Winner 

Jocelyne Mendez-Guzman, Molecular Science MSc

"Hijackers in my Gut? It's More Likely than You Think"

2023 3MT® Participants' Choice

Nate Clark, Environmental Applied Science and Management PhD

"Silver Peroxide: Leaving Legionnaires’ Disease Dead in the Water"

2023 3MT® Runner-up

Nerissa Inniss-Boston, Child and Youth Care MA

"The Path to Compassion Satisfaction"

2022 3MT® Competition

Congratulations to Vanessa Ruscetta on placing second at the Ontario 3MT©! Vanessa represented TMU at the  National 3MT© Showcase  (external link)   hosted by the Canadian Association for Graduate Studies (CAGS) in November, 2022. 

2022 TMU 3MT ®  Winner

Vanessa Ruscetta, Molecular Science MSc

“Gaining the Upper Hand on Cancer Therapeutics”

2022 TMU 3MT ®  Participants’ Choice Award

Sean Leizerovich, Applied Mathematics MSc

“Evacuating Kyiv” 

2022 TMU 3MT ®  Runner-up

Reeda Mahmood, Molecular Science PhD

“The Sum of Those Around You” 

2019 3MT® Competition

Ontario 2019 3MT ®  Competition: Winner

Alex Kjorven, Environmental Applied Science and Management MASc

“The Gamification of Climate Change”

2019 3MT ®  Competition: Runner-up

Wai Ying Lam, Environmental Applied Science and Management MASc student

“Salty Ponds, Salty Streams?”

2019 3MT ®  Competition: Winner

2019 3MT ®  Competition: Participant’s Choice Awards 

Michael Zara, Biomedical Engineering MASc

“Breathe Easy”

2018 3MT® Competition

2018 3MT ®  Competition: Winner

Lama Al Faseeh, Civil Engineering PhD

“The Real Future: Mixed Traffic of Human-Driven Vehicles (HDVs) and Autonomous Vehicles (AVs)”

2018 3MT ®  Competition: People’s Choice Awards (tied)

Laura Krieger, Psychology MA

“Virtual Tourism”

2018 3MT ®  Competition: Runner-up

Cina Mehrvar, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering MASc

“A Better Way to Fix our Bones”

Natasha Ramoutar, Professional Communication MPC

“Fight Like a Girl: Digital Storytelling for Self-Motivation”

2017 3MT® Competition

Ontario 2017 3MT ®  Competition: 3rd place and People's Choice

Ella Dubinsky, Psychology MA student, 3rd place and tied for the Ontario People's Choice Award

“Singing for Your Brain”

2017 3MT ®  Competition Runner-up

Celina Yang, Biomedical Physics PhD

“Gold nanoparticles to improve cancer treatment”

2017 3MT ®  Competition Winner

Ella Dubinsky, Psychology MA student

2017 3MT ® Competition People’s Choice Award

Hamza Asif, Media Production MA student

“How Network Technology Can be Used to Enhance Peer-to-Peer Learning.”

2016 3MT Competition

Ontario 2016 3MT ®  Competition: 2nd place

2016 3mt ®  competition: winner and people's choice award.

Michael Moore, Biomedical Physics PhD

“Listening to the ‘seeds’ of cancer”

2016 3MT ®  Competition: Runner-up

Julie Robertson, Environmental Applied Science and Management MASc

“The Challenges of Representing Traditional Inuit Knowledge in a Geographic Information System”

2015 3MT ®  Competition: Winner

Jaclyn Ludmer, Psychology MA

“Understanding Infants' Genetic and Environmental Risk for Depression”

2015 3MT ®  Competition: Runner-up

Zainab Al-zanbouri, Computer Science MSc

“Green and Sustainable Computing”

2015 3MT ®  People's Choice Award

Aaron Berhane, Immigration and Settlement Studies MA

“You Must Obey Me, Even in Canada”

Ontario 2015 3MT® Competition

Ontario 2015 3MT Winner  (external link) 

Ontario 2015 Finalists  (external link) 

Canadian 2015 3MT® Competition

Canadian 2015 3MT® Competition  (external link) 

Ontario 2014 3MT® Competition: 3rd place and People's Choice

2014 3mt® competition: winner.

Muhammad Ali Naqvi, Molecular Science PhD

“Milk. It does the body good...but how?”

2014 3MT® Competition: People's Choice Award

Fatima Hussain, Electrical and Computer Engineering PhD

“Magic! or Machines?”

2014 3MT® Competition: Runner-up

Adrian Bulzacki, Electrical and Computer Engineering PhD

“Machine Recognition of Human Gestures Aided by Commercialization”

Ontario 2014 Finalists, external link  (external link) 

Ryersonian article:  “Three minutes to change the world”  (external link) 

Ontario 2013 3MT ®  Competition finalists  (external link) 

Registration is closed.

• A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted (no slide transitions, animations or “movement” of any description allowed). The slide is to remain in view for the duration of the oration.
• No additional electronic media (e.g., sound and/or video files) are permitted.
• No props (e.g., costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment, phones, etc.) are permitted.
• Presentations are limited to three minutes maximum; competitors exceeding three minutes are automatically disqualified. Participants will be able to see a countdown timer and be given a 30-second visual or audio warning.
• All presentations must be spoken (i.e., no poems, raps or songs).
• Presentations are considered commenced when a presenter starts the presentation through movement or speech.
• The decision of the judges is final.
• To participate in the TMU 3MT ® Competition, students must currently be registered in a master's (thesis or major research paper) or PhD program and have made substantial progress on their research and analysis.
• Presentations must be based on research directly related to the student’s current graduate program thesis/dissertation/major research paper (MRP).
• Presenters must agree to be videotaped (details on the registration form).
• The 3MT® presentation must represent the current thesis research of the presenter.
• Presenters must be available to present, in person, on the day of the competition, and if successful, on the day of the Ontario 3MT ® Competition (if there is one).
• Please refer to the Confidentiality and Intellectual Property Considerations on the registration form before applying to compete.

Please note:

• PhD and master's students who have defended but have not yet graduated are eligible.
• Competitors must be registered TMU graduate students at the time of the TMU 3MT® competition.
• Postdoctoral fellows can compete in the TMU 3MT ® Competition. However, due to Ontario and national rules, they are NOT eligible to compete in the Ontario and national competitions.
• Previous winners are not eligible.

Presentations are judged according to the following criteria, each of which is equally weighted.

Comprehension

• Did the presentation help the audience understand the research?
• Did the presenter clearly outline the nature and aims of the research?
• Do you know what is significant about this research?
• Did the presentation follow a logical sequence?
• Did the oration make the audience want to know more?
• Was the presenter careful not to trivialize or “dumb down” their research?
• Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their work?
• Did the presenter capture and maintain their audience’s attention?
• Would you like to know more about the speaker’s research?

Communication

• Was the thesis topic and its significance communicated in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience?
• Did the speaker use sufficient eye contact and vocal range, maintain a steady pace and have a confident stance?
• Did the speaker avoid scientific jargon, explain applicable terminology and provide adequate background information to illustrate points?
• Did the presenter spend the right amount of time on each element of their presentation? Or did they elaborate for too long, or were rushed?
• Did the PowerPoint slide enhance, rather than detract from, their presentation – was it clear, legible and concise?

Students must understand that the presentation of their research in the 3MT ® competition will be publicly accessible (i.e., in the public domain).

The presentation of the research will not affect any pre-existing rights prior to and following the competition except as stated below:

• Due to the nature of the competition, we will not ask judges, reviewers, staff or the audience to sign non-disclosure statements. If your research is being/has been conducted under contract with an outside sponsor, please discuss the related contractual terms of confidentiality and intellectual property with your supervisor(s) before participating in this competition.
• All public sessions of the competition, including but not limited to oral presentations, are open to the public at large. Any and all of these public sessions may be broadcast to interested persons through media, including the internet.
• Any data or information discussed or presented in public sessions should be considered “public.” If your research includes confidential or culturally sensitive material, we advise that you discuss your competition entry with your supervisor(s) before entering the 3MT ® competition.
• Toronto Metropolitan University and/or any other 3MT ® event-related person may take photographs, video and/or audio recordings of the presentations, or material prepared for use in presentation at the 3MT ® for promotional purposes and to support knowledge mobilization.
• Winner: $1000 
• Runner-up: $500
• Participants’ Choice Award: $250

The first-place winner will also have all expenses paid to travel to the Ontario 3MT ® Competition to represent Toronto Metropolitan University in April, 2023.

Please let us know if you require any accessibility accommodations to ensure your inclusion in this event.

3MT ®  information/coaching workshop: January 26, 2024 / 12-1:30pm (online)

Want to find out more before you decide to sign-up? An information session & coaching workshop will be held via Zoom on January 26 at noon. REGISTER  (external link, opens in new window) 

Registered participants are strongly encouraged to attend also.

Topics include:

• Introduction to the 3MT ® Competition and what to expect
• How to uncover and talk about the “so what?” of your research topic
• How to prepare a killer PowerPoint slide (only ONE slide can be used)
• How to leave your audience wanting more!
• Effective presentation skills

3MT ® one-on-one sessions (Feb. - March)

Schedule an individual session to review your presentation. 

• For FEAS grad students: contact Ketan Marballi / postdoctoral and graduate student professional development specialist @  [email protected]  (opens in new window) 
• For all other grad students: contact May Haithem / career education specialist, Yeates School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies @    [email protected]  (opens in new window) 

3MT ®  practice and feedback sessions 

Get some practice in front of a panel and receive feedback on your 3MT ®  presentation and slide before the competition!

Participants can choose to attend ONE session for a 15-minute time slot.

Please email your choice of Session 1, 2 or Session 3 to Leslie at [email protected] .

LOCATION IS SLC 452.

Date: March 5

Time: 1-4pm

Date: March 6

Time: 9:30-12pm

Date: March 7

Additional workshops (optional)

When: March 14

Where: SLC 451

2) Mitacs   workshops (online): Writing and Presentations Skills  (external link, opens in new window) 

2023 3MT Competition  (external link, opens in new window) 

2022 3MT Competition  (external link, opens in new window) 

2019 3MT Competition  (external link) 

2018 3MT Competition  (external link) 

2017 3MT Competition  (external link) 

2016 3MT Competition  (external link) 

2018 Canadian 3MT Competition Videos  (external link) 

2017 Canadian 3MT Competition Videos  (external link) 

2016 Canadian 3MT Competition Videos  (external link) 

Winning 3MT Presentations from Around the World  (external link) 

Additional resources

Body language expert Mark Bowden  (external link) 

In Praise of the Pitch (University Affairs, Dec. 2016)  (external link) 

 (PDF file)  “Making the Most of your 3 Minutes” (PDF)

 (google slide)  “How to Win the 3MT”  (external link) 

“How to Talk About your Thesis in 3 Minutes”  (external link) 

"6 Components of Successful 3MT Speeches"  (external link) 

Body Language Video  (external link) 

“University of Queensland’s Overview of the 3MT Competition”  (external link) 

Toronto Star#1  (external link) 

Toronto Star#2  (external link) 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q – what proportion of my degree must have a research component to be eligible to compete.

You are eligible to compete in the TMU competition if your degree involves a thesis, dissertation or major research paper (MRP). You must have a supervisor, have submitted your proposal and be working on your research. Generally speaking, first-year master's students in a two-year program will not have enough material to present by the competition date and should compete in the second year. PhD students must be in their second year or higher.

Q – I was a student at the time of my competition at my university but will graduate before the Ontario competition. Am I eligible to enter?

Yes. If you are eligible at the time of your university’s competition, you will remain eligible for the Ontario competition, regardless of your program status.

Q – I have participated in the 3MT ® before. Can I participate more than once?

As long as you are not a previous winner, you are welcome to enter again.

Q – Can I present my oration via video call?

No, presenters must be available to present, in person, on the day of the competition. The winner is also expected to attend the Ontario competition in person.

Q – Can I present my oration as a poem, rap or song?

No. All presentations must be spoken. The 3MT ® is primarily about developing students’ oration skills.

Q – Can I use a laser pointer or note cards?

No. Props of any kind are not permitted.

Q – Does my slide have to be in PowerPoint?

PowerPoint is the preferred format as all slides will be collated into a single PowerPoint presentation.

Q – How many transitions or animations can I have in my slide?

None. The slide must be static and not change in any way during the presentation. Your slide must be displayed for the duration of your presentation.

Q – Do I have to use a slide?

No, the slide is optional as the emphasis is on the oration.

Q – What happens if my presentation is longer than three minutes?

In all finals, competitors are given a 30-second warning, and a bell will sound at the three-minute limit. If a presenter continues to speak after the bell, they will be automatically disqualified.

Q – Is there a dress code?

While there is no stipulated dress requirement such as “smart casual,” you are encouraged to wear presentable, comfortable clothing — NO COSTUMES or props (including hats, masks, etc.).

Q – Will I be able to see a countdown timer at my final?

Depending on the room and AV provided, we will attempt to provide a countdown timer.

Q – Can I win more than one category?

Yes, it is possible to win both a place (first or runner-up) and the Participants’ Choice Award.

Q – What is the Participants’ Choice Award?

This is a winner that is selected by the competitors.

Q – What happens if I cannot attend the Ontario 3MT ® ?

The winner of the TMU 3MT ® is expected to represent Toronto Metropolitan University at the next stage of the competition (the Ontario 3MT® Competition). If the winner is unable to attend the Ontario event, the runner-up will proceed to the next round of the competition. 

For queries about the TMU 3MT ®  competition contact:

Leslie Mutic Yeates School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies [email protected]  (opens in new window) 

416-979-5000 , ext. 553480

Accessibility: Please let us know if you require any accessibility accommodations to ensure your inclusion in this event.

The 3MT ®  Competition was developed by the University of Queensland, Australia in 2008, to promote effective communication of research. Since then, it has spread internationally. Queen’s University hosted the inaugural Ontario 3MT ®  Competition in 2013. The first Canadian National 3MT ®  Competition was held in 2014, hosted by University of Manitoba.

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3 Minute Thesis

We strive to have all graduate students be able to participate in the Three Minute Thesis (3MT).  If you have concerns about your participation due to accessibility needs that require accommodations, please contact Niki Power

Take to the stage and present your research

The 3 Minute Thesis (3MT) competition brings together the Dalhousie community to give graduate student researchers a platform to share and celebrate their ideas and compete for cash prizes.

How does it work? You have three minutes to present your research in as engaging a manner as possible for a non-specialist audience, with one PowerPoint slide permitted as a visual aid.

Participation in 3MT is open to all students in research-based master’s and doctoral programs. 

The application period for the 2024 3MT has concluded.

Participate in the 3MT competition

Dal graduate students

Are you enrolled in a research-based master’s or doctoral program? Participate in this year's 3MT competition by registering before 9 a.m. on March 2. To participate, please submit your 3MT presenter slide to [email protected]  by March 10 at 3 p.m. (AT).  The first round of the competition — the preliminary heats — take place on March 14. The winners of the heats will move forward to the finals on March 20, during which various cash prizes will be offered: First Place:  $1,000 and the opportunity to represent Dalhousie at the eastern regionals Second Place:  $500 Third Place:  $250 People’s Choice:  $250 (in addition to any other prize money received) Remaining Finalists:  $100

Faculty and staff

Thank you to those faculty and staff that registered to serve as heats judges on March 14. Please check your email for details.

Members of the Dalhousie community (everyone)

Members of the Dal community and beyond are invited to join us for the 3MT heats on March 14 and finals on March 20. Cheer on competitors and cast your vote for the People’s Choice Award winner during the finals, while learning about the important work being done by the grad student community.

Join the 3MT@Dal 2023 Brightspace community

To self register for the 3mt brightspace community, access resources, and watch recordings of past workshops, follow the steps below:.

• Log in to Brightspace at https://dal.brightspace.com/ using your Dalhousie credentials.
• Next, click on the "Academic Support" tab in the top menu, and select "Self Registration."
• In the list of self registration course offerings, click on 3MT@Dal 2023 (course code: ONLC.3MT.DAL.23), and then click "Register."
• A form will appear that will auto-populate your credentials; ensure these are correct, and hit "Submit."
• You will receive an email confirming your enrollment in 3MT@Dal, and you'll become part of the online community in Brightspace. You may want to pin the course to your homepage for ease of access.

Upcoming 3MT workshops

Whether you're thinking of participating in 3MT or are looking to sharpen your communication skills, join our upcoming workshops. These sessions will introduce you to 3MT, help you prepare your presentation for the competition, and offer coaching and feedback.

3MT Coaching Date: March 10 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Partner: Writing Centre and Studying for Success Location:  Collaborate Ultra Room (Virtual) 

2024 3MT roundup

2023 3mt roundup, 2022 3mt roundup.

Read about our 2022 3 Minute Thesis competition finalists and their experiences. 

See 3MT in action

Visit our YouTube channel to view presentations from past competitions. 

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We are thankful to be welcome on these lands in friendship. The lands we are situated on are covered by the Williams Treaties and are the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, including Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi. These lands remain home to many Indigenous nations and peoples.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the Indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Most importantly, we acknowledge that the history of these lands has been tainted by poor treatment and a lack of friendship with the First Nations who call them home.

This history is something we are all affected by because we are all treaty people in Canada. We all have a shared history to reflect on, and each of us is affected by this history in different ways. Our past defines our present, but if we move forward as friends and allies, then it does not have to define our future.

Learn more about Indigenous Education and Cultural Services

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• Three Minute Thesis (3MT®)

Three Minute Thesis

• Participants
• Eligibility and rules
• Event details

Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a university-wide competition for graduate students in which participants present their research and its wider impact in three minutes or less to a panel of non-specialist judges. The challenge is to present complex research in an engaging, accessible and compelling way, using only one static slide. 

This fun and challenging academic competition enables students to showcase their research to a wider multi-disciplinary audience, within the university and to the broader public. The competition is open to the public, and is advertised within the community. 3MT® is a unique opportunity to communicate the innovative and significant research undertaken by graduate students.

The  3MT® competition was developed initially by the University of Queensland (Australia) in 2008. 3MT® competitions are now held in over 600 universities and institutions across 65 countries.

The first Ontario Tech University  3MT® competition was held in 2013. The inaugural provincial 3MT® competition was also held in 2013, followed by the first Canada-wide competition in 2014.

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Thank You for Your Support!

We'd like to thank our sponsors for their generous support of 3MT®!

Gold Sponsor  

Important dates - 2024

Why participate?

• Learn how to concisely explain the significance of your research.
• Sharpen your presentation skills.
• Receive individual coaching.
• Compete to represent Ontario Tech at the provincial 3MT® finals.
• Win cash prizes of up to $1,000.

Build your skills and confidence through a variety of coaching sessions. From individual consultations to interactive workshops, each session is designed to help you make the most of your three minutes and put your research into the spotlight.

Tips and resources for your presentation

• Coaching videos by John Bandler, PhD (McMaster University)
• Making the Most of Your Three Minutes, Simon Clews, Writing Centre, University of Melbourne, Australia
• 3MT Presentation Skills Workshop slides 2013 - Queen's University (Williams, 2013)
• Communicating your research in lay language, Cristian A. Linte, IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Magazine, May/June 2009, pages 5-7.
• How do you present years' worth of material in 30 minutes?
• 3MT Not Just for Scientists
• Using open images (from the Library)
• How to win Three Minute Thesis (Dr. Inger Mewburn, Australian National University)

Eligibility

To participate in 3MT®, students must meet the eligibility criteria outlined below:

• At the time of the 3MT® competition, students must be registered in a master's or PhD program and must have made substantial progress on their research and analysis. Students in programs with a major research project, paper or portfolio may participate. Course-based master's students are ineligible.
• PhD and master's students who have defended or have submitted their project, paper or portfolio, but have not yet convocated, are eligible.
• 3MT® presentations must represent the primary research the student conducted in their graduate program.
• Presenters must agree to be video-recorded and to allow those recordings to be made public.

Confidentiality and intellectual property (IP) considerations

Students must understand that the presentation of their research in 3MT® will be publicly accessible, i.e., in the public domain.

The presentation of the research will not affect any pre-existing rights following the competition, except as stated below:

• Due to the nature of the competition, we will not ask judges, reviewers, staff or the audience to sign non-disclosure statements. If your research is being/has been conducted under contract with an outside sponsor, you are required to discuss the related contractual terms of confidentiality and IP with your supervisor and the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS) before participating in this competition.
• All public sessions of the competition including, but not limited to, oral presentations are open to the public at large. Any and all of these public sessions may be broadcast to interested persons through media, which may include the Internet.
• Any data or information discussed or presented in public sessions should be considered public. If your research includes confidential, contractual, newly created IP or culturally sensitive material, you are required to discuss your competition entry with your supervisor(s) before entering the 3MT® competition. Please submit the 3MT® supervisor consent form signed by your supervisor(s) to the SGPS as evidence of this discussion.

In coordinating 3MT®, the university and any host institutions for the province-wide competition may take photographs, videotapes and/or audiotapes; make transcripts of the presentations; and/or copy material prepared for use in presentation at the 3MT® and any related events for promotional purposes and to support knowledge mobilization.

Testimonials will be requested of all participants after the events.

• A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted (no slide transitions, animations or movement of any description, and the slide is to remain in view for the duration of the oration).
• Competitors must present in person. 
• No additional electronic media (e.g., sound and/or video files) are permitted.
• No props (e.g., costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
• Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through movement or speech.
• Presentations are limited to three minutes maximum. Competitors exceeding three minutes are disqualified.
• Presentations are to commence from the stage. 
• Presentations are to be spoken (i.e., no poems, raps or songs).
• Presentations must be made by memory; notes may not be used.
• The competition will be administered in English.
• The decision of the judging panel is final.

2024 3MT® Provincial Competition

May 2024 - Date TBD  Lakehead University Orillia Campus

Internal Competition

Both the Heats and Finals will be livestreamed, but if you're unable to tune in live you can still watch the presentations on our 3MT Media Channel anytime!

Heats Livestream Link!

Finals Livestream Link!

3MT® Heats 

Wednesday, March 20, 2024  RBC Meeting Place (UB 1055) 

Heats begin at 9:30 a.m

Schedule TBD

3MT® Finals 

Thursday, March 21, 2024 RBC Meeting Place (UB 1055) 

DOWNLOAD THE FINALS DIGITAL PROGRAM

The top participants present their research. The winner of this event will advance to the virtual provincial finals.  The following prizes will be awarded at the university's internal competition:

If you have any questions, please contact the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies at 905.721.8668 ext. 6209 or [email protected] . 

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

Bronze sponsor, people's choice award.

You be the judge! All audience members at the 3MT® Final on Thursday, March 21 will have the opportunity to vote for their choice of best presentation. 

Thursday, March 21, 2024

Judging criteria

Communication (score out of 100).

• Did the presenter use language and terminology that was clear and understandable?
• Was the pace of the talk effective?
• Did the presenter use non-verbal communication (i.e. eye contact, voice modulation, body language, etc.) effectively?
• Did the slide enhance, rather than detract from, the talk – was it clear, legible and concise?

Comprehension (score out of 100)

• Did the talk help you to understand the scholarly research and creativity?
• Did the presenter clearly outline the nature and purpose of the scholarly research and creativity?
• Did the presenter clearly indicate what is interesting about the scholarly research and creativity?
• Did the talk follow a logical sequence?

Engagement (score out of 100)

• Was the talk engaging?
• Did the talk inspire you to want to know more?
• Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their work?
• Did the presenter capture and maintain your attention?

Want to learn how 3MT® works? Check out the videos from our past competitions!

• 2022 videos
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The clock is ticking – you’ve only got three minutes to tell an audience about your research. Are you up for the challenge? What if I told you there was $6,000 in prize money up for grabs? Throw your hat in the ring and sign up for UBCO’s seventh annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition!

What is 3MT?

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a global academic competition started by The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia in 2008. Since then, the competition has spread throughout universities across the globe.

The competition showcases students’ innovative research while helping students develop effective presentation and communication skills. Research-based master’s and doctoral students are challenged to present their research in a mere 180 seconds using just one static slide.

The judges look for clear language, a well-structured presentation that engages the audience, and a slide that is designed to support the speaker’s points.

How do I participate?

All UBC Okanagan graduate students in a thesis-based program are eligible to compete in 3MT at UBC Okanagan.

Students compete against others from their Faculty in qualifying heats. The winners from each faculty then advance to the UBC Okanagan final event. Details about the Faculty heats can be found below.

The winner of the UBC Okanagan final qualifies to move on to the Western Regional competition.

The next competition will be held in 2025.

why participate?

Prepare your elevator pitch:  Whether it’s for a job interview, or explaining to your relatives at the dinner table, being able to concisely explain your research will help you throughout your studies and into your future career.

Develop important skills:  3MT provides you with the opportunity to develop effective presentation and communication skills.

Win prize money:  $6,000 dollars in prize money is up for grabs with first place taking home $3,000, $2,000 for the runner-up, and $1,000 for People’s Choice.

Gain exposure in the community:  The 3MT Final is an opportunity for you to showcase your research to a broad public audience, gain exposure, and build connections with the community.

Participant testimonials

Portiaa McGonigal, Biology, 2020 Winner

In doing 3MT, I gained a better appreciation for how I should portray my project even to a group of experts in the same field. Competing against other students with vastly different projects than mine was intimidating at first, but going through with it and being successful allowed me to prove to myself that I am capable of doing difficult things, and it gave me much more confidence coming out of the competition than I had going in. I would highly recommend students to participate in the 3MT Competition to not only push your boundaries as a student researcher and communicator but to also challenge yourself and build up your confidence in your abilities.

Cassidy Wallis, Psychology, 2019 Winner

While conducting research we often find ourselves hidden away in our own little corner of the world. But what we are all doing is so important and it needs to be shared. The 3MT gave me a platform in which I could spread the important findings of my research to the community to which it referred. While most of us hope our research will have real applicable findings, there is often a disconnect between research and practice. The 3MT allowed me to bridge that gap and has since led to other opportunities to engage my community with my research. Further, while writing my 3MT it taught me how to find the right narrative that will capture an audience’s attention. This was a valuable skill that I have utilized since then in following speeches. I recommend that everyone take advantage of this amazing opportunity to engage their community and learn/improve valuable communication skills.

Sydney Morgan, Biology, 2018 Winner

I have found the 3MT to be an extremely rewarding experience. Making our research accessible to the public is an integral part of academia, but it so often gets overlooked. In the age of social media, combatting the “fake news” with real, exciting, and scientifically-backed facts is all-important. For me, the 3MT was an exercise in stepping outside the comfort of my own narrow research field and taking a hard look at it from an outsider’s perspective: how does my research fit into the big picture, and what makes it important? These are questions that graduate students and researchers should be asking themselves every day because it keeps our goals grounded but also gives our research purpose and direction. The 3MT competition was an excellent opportunity to highlight my research but was also an opportunity for me to practice my public speaking skills and receive valuable feedback from the coaches and judges. This was my first 3MT experience, and I look forward to competing again next year.

John Sasso, Interdisciplinary Studies, 2017 Winner

In academia, we often get lost in the details of our research design and methodologies; but the process of preparing for and refining my 3MT certainly helped me to gain perspective on my PhD project. In today’s fast-paced world, simplifying complexity is a powerful tool. In the words of Albert Einstein, “If you can’t explain it to a six-year-old, you don’t understand it yourself.” Even at the start of my doctoral training, this exercise has been invaluable for me to learn how to better shape my message in teaching, in building collaborations, in applying for funding, and in recalibrating my study objectives. Furthermore, having had the chance to learn about the incredible research, across countless disciplines, from the other participants in the 3MT at UBCO (in a way that even I can understand!) has been so inspiring. I encourage all graduate students to commit to this process, and give the 3MT a try; in our careers, translating research into relevant and engaging communications will undoubtedly be an important skill that I am glad to have had the opportunity to develop.

UBC Okanagan 3MT Final 2024

April 9, 2024 l 5:00 pm l mary irwin theatre.

Thank you for coming out to support our graduate students. Come cheer on our UBCO winner Pawanjit Kaur Sandhu at the Western Regional 3MT Competition! Read more about this year’s competition

Western regional 3MT competition 2024

May 8, 2024 l 2:00 pm l university of british columbia okanagan.

UBC Okanagan is excited to host the Western Regional 3MT® Competition at on May 8, 2024. Our campus will welcome participants from across Western Canada who will share their research in three minutes using non-specialist language.

2024 Participant videos

Coming soon

Three Minute Thesis (3MT®)

Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a research communication competition. Graduate students present their thesis in just three minutes to a non-specialist audience. ​The challenge is to present complex research material in an engaging, compelling way, using appropriate language and only one static PowerPoint slide.

3MT® is an excellent opportunity to gain practical experience communicating your research and to network across disciplines.

Eligibility

To be eligible, you must:

• be enrolled in a UVic master's or PhD program in the spring term (January-April) of the competition

produce a 3MT ®  presentation that directly relates to your graduate program research

• agree to have your 3MT ®  presentation videotaped
• be available to present in-person on the day of your heat and, if you advance in the competition, the following stages. If you are unable to attend, the runner-up will proceed to the next round of the competition in your place.

Confidentiality and intellectual property considerations

The 3MT ®  competition is open to the public at large. Any data or information discussed should be considered public. Judges and staff involved in the competition will not be required to sign non-disclosure statements.

If your research is being conducted in conjunction with an outside agency, we advise you to investigate the potential for any confidentiality or intellectual property issues. You should discuss your participation in the competition with your supervisor(s) before registering for the 3MT ®  competition.

If your research includes any confidential or culturally sensitive material, you should discuss your entry in the competition with your supervisor(s) before registering.

Registration & schedule

Three Minute Thesis returns to UVic in the first live in-person competition since 2020.  Participants will compete in semi-final heats the week of March 4, 2024.  Winners of the heats will then present their three minutes thesis before a live community audience Thursday March 14, 2024 in the David Lam Auditorium. 

Students will be helped to prepare for 3MT with a public speaking workshop and multiple practice sessions which will take place in February 2024.  Participants will be required to attend at least one practice session and may attend as many as they like to receive constructive feedback and tips to perfect their presentation.   

Interested students must complete and submit the registration form by Friday January 26, 2024. 

How to prepare

On-campus resources.

The Faculty of Graduate Studies offers preparatory workshops for 3MT ®  participants each year . 

• How to win the 3 Minute Thesis - Dr. Inger Mewburn
• How to sell your thesis in 3 minutes (or less) - short blog post by Dr. Inger Mewburn
• Videos of 3MT ® winners from around the globe

Rules & judging criteria

Competition rules.

• A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted. No slide transitions, animations or "movement" of any type are allowed. The slide is to be displayed from the beginning of the presentation.
• No additional electronic media (e.g. sound or video files) are permitted.
• No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
• Presentations are limited to three minutes maximum and competitors who exceed three minutes are disqualified.
• Presentations must be in lecture format (i.e. no poems, raps or songs).
• The three minutes starts when a presenter begins their presentation through either movement or speech.
• The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Judging criteria

At every level of the competition each competitor will be judged on the criteria below. Each criterion is equally weighted and has an emphasis on audience.

Comprehension and content

• Did the presentation provide an understanding of the background and significance to the research question being addressed while explaining terminology and avoiding jargon?
• Did the presentation clearly describe the impact and/or results of the research including conclusions and outcomes?
• Did the presentation follow a clear and logical sequence?
• Were the thesis topic, research significance, results/impact and outcomes communicated in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience?
• Did the presenter spend adequate time on each element of their presentation? (Did they elaborate for too long on one aspect? Was the presentation rushed?)

Engagement and communication

• Did the oration make the audience want to know more?
• Was the presenter careful not to trivialize or generalize their research?
• Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their research?
• Did the presenter capture and maintain their audience's attention?
• Did the speaker have sufficient stage presence, eye contact and vocal range? Did they maintain a steady pace and have a confident stance?
• Did the PowerPoint slide enhance the presentation? Was the slide clear, legible and concise?

Prizes & sponsors

Cash prizes are awarded for each heat and the finals.

Winners & finalists

After a series of semi-finals, six graduate students competed in UVic's 2022 Three Minute Thesis Event. If you missed the live event on March 31, you can watch videos of their presentations. Congratulations to all the participants.

Tess Carswell, Mechanical Engineering - Winner (First Place) and People's Choice Award

Erin Grafe, Division of Medical Sciences - Winner (Second Place)

Lauren Eckert, Geography - Finalist

Luke Trinity, Computer Science - Finalist

Maeve Milligan, Pacific and Asian Studies - Finalist

Dax Tate , History - Finalist

3MT® was developed by the University of Queensland in 2008 and has continued to grow exponentially. The competition has been adopted in over 80 countries .

The University of Victoria's first 3MT® took place in 2013-2014. We acknowledge the support of the University of Queensland in this initiative.

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University of Northern British Columbia

Search unbc, three minute thesis (3mt ® ), you have 3 minutes. create. compel. connect..

An 80,000-word thesis would take 9 hours to present. Your time limit....  3 minutes .

You have three minutes to tell us what you are doing, how you are doing it, and how it relates to the real world.

2024 Three-Minute Thesis (3MT ® )

UNBC's 2024 Three Minute Thesis Competition will be held on March 7th and will take place in-person at the Prince George Campus.

Prizes for 2024

• 1st place = $750, plus a chance to represent UNBC at the 2024 Western Regional Finals at UBC Okanagan Campus on May 8th, 2024, with UNBC covering travel costs. 
• 2nd place = $500
• 3rd place = $250
• People’s Choice: $250

Event Details

2023 western regional (3mt ® ) competition.

Cheer on UNBC’s own Sunny Tseng at the Western Regional (3MT®) Competition at the University of Saskatchewan on Thursday, May 25th, 2023. The Competition will occur between 2pm and 5pm EST with a full schedule being released one week prior to the Competition. Check back here for the full schedule.

The Competition will be live streamed  here  and you can vote for your favourite presenter in the People's Choice Awards .

2023 Three Minute Thesis (3MT ® )

UNBC's 2023 Three Minute Thesis competition was held in conjunction with Research Week , and took place on Thursday, March 2, 2023 in the Bentley Centre at the Prince George campus.

The winners of the 2023 event were:

• 1st place: Sunny Tseng, MSc student, Faculty of Environment,  Acoustic Recording as a Potential Tool to Monitor Individual Owls
• 2nd place: Jeremiah DuBovis, MSc student, Faculty of Environment,  Observing Soil Formation on Ultramafic Mine Tailings
• 3rd place: Hui Jun Chew, RD, MSc student, Faculty of Human and Health Sciences,  COVID-19 Challenged Connections: Stories of Technology Use by Long Term Care Staff in Northern BC
• People's Choice Award: Sunny Tseng

Watch the presentations

Congratulations to all the 3MT participants and to the winners!

Complete list of participants

• Tanvi Guhagarkar , Faculty of Indigenous Studies, Social Sciences, and Humanities - The Intersection Between Caste and Gender in Exploring Hate-Based Crimes Against Dalit-Queer Individuals
• Akifa Rahman , Faculty of Business and Economics - Water on Lotus: Job Engagement in Post-pandemic Hybrid Workplace
• Hui Jun Chew, RD , Faculty of Human and Health Sciences - COVID-19 Challenged Connections: Stories of Technology Use by Long Term Care Staff in Northern BC
• Ronja Frank , Faculty of Indigenous Studies, Social Sciences, and Humanities - The Secret Garden, Posthumanism, and Victorian Children's Fiction in an Era of the Anthropocene
• Sunny Tseng , Faculty of Environment - Acoustic Recording as a Potential Tool to Monitor Individual Owls
• Erik Groenenberg , Faculty of Science and Engineering - Adapting Constructed Wetlands for Cold Climate Wastewater Treatment
• Jessica Woskett , Faculty of Environment - Tackling Diversity and Inclusion in Recreational Fishing
• Hariharan Varudaraju , Faculty of Environment - Effects of Changing Environmental Conditions on Glyphosphate Degredation and Melatonin Production in Wild Strawberries.
• Houman Ganjali , Faculty of Science and Engineering - A New Prescription for Timber Buildings
• Vibusha Madanayake , Faculty of Indigenous Studies, Social Sciences, and Humanities - Access to Justice for Low to Middle-Income Single Mothers in British Columbia
• Guowei Li , Faculty of Environment - Local Scour: One Discipline's Trash is Another Discipline's Treasure
• Jeremiah DuBovis , Faculty of Environment - Observing Soil Formation in Ultramafic Mine Tailings
• Hamidreza Chaboki , Faculty of Science and Engineering - Concrete Layers Help Wood Floor Work Better
• Jhoan Chavez , Faculty of Environment - Beyond Waste in Agriculture Through Pyrolysis
• Juls Budau , Faculty of Human and Health Sciences - User Perspectives on Prescribed Stimulant Safe Supply
• Kamran Hassani , Faculty of Science and Engineering - Prevention of Scaling in Geothermal Field
• Mahtab Gheisari , Faculty of Science and Engineering - Improving the Design Code of Timber Structures
• Marianella Hernandez , Faculty of Environment - Women's Relationship with Water and its Relevance in Decision-Making Processes Related to Water and Sanitation Issues in Rural and Remote Communities in Canada
• Mario Salinas Toledano , Faculty of Science and Engineering - Modelling Constructed Wetlands for Household Wastewater Treatment
• Musfiq Tajwar , Faculty of Indigenous Studies, Social Sciences, and Humanities - Nexus Between Prolonged Refugee Presence and Diminishing Social Cohesion: A Case Study of Rohingya Refugee Living in Bangladesh
• Sami Mohammadyzadeh , Faculty of Environment - Dynamic Behaviour of Tall Timber Buildings
• Sorour Nasimi , Faculty of Environment - Enhancing Water Security in Small, Remote and Indigenous Communities by Nature-Based Approaches

Three Minute Thesis (3MT ® ) is a research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland. The exercise challenges research higher degree students to present a compelling oration on their thesis topic and its significance in just three minutes.

3MT ®  develops academic, presentation, and research communication skills and supports the development of research students' capacity to effectively explain their research in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.

(From  University of Queensland )

The first 3MT ®  was held at The University of Queensland (UQ) in 2008 with 160 RHD students competing. Enthusiasm for the 3MT ®  concept grew and its adoption by numerous universities led to the development of an international competition in 2010.

The inaugural Trans-Tasman 3MT ®  was held at UQ in 2010 with 33 universities participating. In 2011, 43 universities were represented in the Trans-Tasman 3MT ®  that was hosted by The University of Western Australia. Today students from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Hong Kong take part in their own regional events.

Following the success of Matt Thompson of UQ at the 2011 competition, the 2012 Trans-Tasman 3MT ®  event was again hosted by the University of Queensland. The winner of the 2012 3MT ®  Trans-Tasman competition was Mr. Paris and the University of Western Sydney has the right to host the prestigious international competition in 2013.

The event was a wonderful showcase for the quality and breadth of research that is taking place across Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Hong Kong.

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Meet the finalists and judges , what is 3mt/mt180.

In the University-wide 3MT/MT180 competition, graduate students have the chance to showcase their leading-edge research before a live audience. With only three minutes and a single slide, students must engage their audience and convey the complexities of their work to a diverse, non-expert audience. Participants may present their research in English or in French and winners will advance to regional and national competitions.

3MT/MT180: 2022 edition

Watch the McGill's 2022 3MT/MT180 Competition where more than 150 graduate students accepted the Three Minute Thesis challenge. Chasing glory and cash prizes, 15 finalists advanced to the final competition. Check out the recording to see their presentations and learn more about their research.

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Three minutes. One PowerPoint slide. No props.

These are the fundamentals of the competition, which gives graduate students three minutes to explain their research in a way that captivates judges and others from outside their discipline and why it matters.

Event Details

Thursday, March 28 at 11 a.m.

Find full event details on ExperienceBU here.

Cash Prizes

Winners of the 3mt competition will receive:.

1st place: $1,000

People’s Choice: $250

Competition Details

Founded by the University of Queensland in 2008, The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition provides research-based graduate students with the opportunity to practice their knowledge translation and communication skills by showcasing their research to a broad audience.

Eligibility

• To participate in 3MT you must currently be registered in a thesis-based master’s or PhD program at Brock University and have made substantial progress on your research and analysis.
• Graduate students who have defended but have not yet convocated are eligible. Students must not have graduated prior to the date of the competition final.
• Students who have competed in past 3MT competitions may participate. Their presentation must be new for each competition.
• Post-Docs are invited to participate as guests and will be judged separately from the graduate students. Postdocs are not eligible for the prize money and are not eligible to compete in either the Ontario 3MT, or National 3MT.
• Visiting grad students and Exchange grad students may participate in the Brock 3MT competition as guests, but will not be eligible to represent Brock in either the Ontario 3MT, or National 3MT, and are not eligible for the prize money.
• Presentations must be based on research that is directly related to the student’s graduate program thesis. Research performed for previous degrees or employment should not be presented.
• Presenters must be available to present on the day of the finals. Winners of the finals must be available to participate in the live 3MT Ontario competition.
• Presenters must agree to be videotaped and if in the final, give permission to have the video available on our website/Brock’s YouTube
• Presenters must agree to be photographed and give permission for the photos to be used for promotional purposes.
• It is understood that by registering, you have discussed your participation with your supervisor and have agreed that you fulfill the eligibility requirements set out above.
• A single, static PowerPoint slide is permitted.
• No slide transitions, animations or ‘movement’ of any description; the slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration.
• The presentation slide should be created using an aspect ratio of 16:9
• Images used in the slide must be your own, or you must have permission from the owner of the photo(s) and provide proper credit(s).
• No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.
• No additional props (e.g. musical equipment, laser pointers, costumes, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
• Presentations are to be delivered in regular prose (e.g. no poems, raps or songs)
• Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum. Judges are recommended to deduct marks from presentations that exceed 3 minutes.
• Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter initiates either movement or speech.
• No notes allowed. Presentations are to be memorized.
• Presentations must be based on research related to the student’s current graduate program thesis. Research performed for employment should not be present. Research completed as part of a prior degree should not be presented as current work.
• Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through movement or speech.
• The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Judging criteria

Keep in mind that you will be judged on the following:

Comprehension & Content:

• Did the presentation provide an understanding of the research question’s background and significance?
• Did the presentation clearly describe the key results of the research including conclusions and outcomes?
• Was the presentation clear and logical?
• Was the language used appropriately for a non-specialist audience?
• Did the presenter make good use of the three-minute allotment? Or did the presentation feel rushed?

Engagement & Communication:

• Did the oration make the audience want to learn more?
• Was the presenter careful not to generalize their research?
• Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their research?
• Did the presenter capture and maintain the audience’s attention?
• Did the presenter have sufficient stage presence, eye contact, and vocal range?
• Did the presenter maintain a steady pace and confident stance?
• Did the static slide enhance the presentation? Was it clear, legible, and concise?

3MT Competition Dates 2024

Thursday, March 28

Ontario Competition

Date: TBA Host institution: Lakehead University Orillia Campus

National 3MT Showcase

TBD, traditionally held each November at the  Canadian Association for Graduate Studies  Annual Meeting.

• 3MT Tip Sheet
• 3MT Reflection Questions
• Simon Clews  (University of Melbourne) has prepared a helpful guide on  preparing for the Three Minute Thesis Competition
• Inger Mewburn  (RMIT University) developed  How to Talk About Your Thesis in 3 Minutes
• Henry Miller  (UT Health San Antonio) shares  11 Tips For The 3 Minute Thesis Competition

Presenter registration closed on February 29. This is a drop-in event; attendees do not need to register.

2024 Workshops

3mt workshop - planning your script and slide.

Tuesday, February 6 at 10 a.m.

Learn about the upcoming competition with some tips and tricks to get started.

Abstract Writing

Wednesday, February 21 1 p.m.

Learn and practice developing a great abstract.

3MT Workshop - Presentation Tips and Practice

Wednesday, March 6 10 a.m.

Get tips on and practice presenting your 3MT.

Presenting your Research

Wednesday, March 13 10:30 a.m.

Develop your presentation skills for upcoming conferences and competitions.

3MT Drop-in - Practice and Feedback

Wednesday, March 13, 1 pm, RFP 216

Thursday, March 21, 10 am, Pond Inlet 

Visualizing your Research

Monday, March 18 10:30 a.m.

Explore creative strategies to visualize academic research.

2023 Winners

First place, karl grantham.

AI Enabled Drug Design and Side Effect Prediction Powered by Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithms and Transformer Models

Second Place

Alex wilder.

Smell you later: Understanding the role of olfactory signals in African penguin communication​

Third Place

Examining the role of Sema3A in hippocampal spatial memory formation in the adult mouse

People’s Choice Award

Mourin mostafiz.

Responding to organizational crisis: The role of message framing and information processing system

Pictured (from left): Zoe Gagnon, Alex Wilder, Karl Grantham and Mourin Mostafiz

Current Students

Faculty news.

• Thesis defences — April 22 to April 26 April 19, 2024
• Putting Brock grad student research on the map April 18, 2024
• TAs celebrated for dedication to excellence April 18, 2024

Doctoral Thesis Defences

• PhD Defence – Holly Lockhart – Thursday, April 18
• PhD Defence – Abneet Atwal – Tuesday, April 16
• PhD Defence – Elvira Prusaczyk – Friday, Aug. 25

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3MT® Three Minute Thesis

Three Minutes to Engage, Enlighten and Excite

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) is an academic research communication challenge held annually at the University of New Brunswick, hosted and sponsored by the School of Graduate Studies (SGS). The competition rewards participants with new and improved presentation skills and the chance to win cash prizes of up to $1,000! The goal: To promote the development of graduate students’ communication skills and provide opportunities for knowledge mobilization. Your research is important. Tell people why! The challenge: To effectively summarize thesis/dissertation research findings and explain their significance to a non-specialist audience. And to learn how to do this in only three minutes! 3MT was developed in 2008 the University of Queensland (UQ) in Australia and now takes place at more than 350 universities around the world. In Canada, graduate students who win their university’s 3MT event compete in three regional competitions held across Canada, co-sponsored by the Canadian Association of Graduate Studies (CAGS). Recordings of the top presentations from each region are forwarded to virtual national competition hosted by CAGS, this year held during annual meeting in November. The top 11 submissions are selected as finalists, from which a distinguished CAGS panel will select a national winner.

2023 3MT Results

First Place:  Jennifer Moore (MA Psychology, UNBSJ)

Second Place:  Anjana Gayathri Arunachalam (PhD candidate, Electrical and Computer Engineering, UNBF)

Third Place: Rosie Leggott (MA English, UNBF)

People's Choice:  Kelton Ireland (PhD candidate, Mechanical Engineering, UNBF)

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• Simon Clews (University of Melbourne) has prepared a helpful guide on  preparing for the Three Minute Thesis Competition
• Jackie Amsden (Simon Fraser University) discusses how narrative frameworks can help grad students effectively tell their research story
• Matt Abrahams (Stanford University) provides Tips and Techniques for More Confident and Compelling Presentations
• Matt Abrahams (Stanford University) podcast Think Fast, Talk Smart : advice for impromptu speaking
• Anett Grant (Executive Speaking) addresses  Six Pieces of Bad Speaking Advice That Just Won’t Die
• Inger Mewburn (RMIT University) developed How to Talk About Your Thesis in 3 Minutes
• Henry Miller (UT Health San Antonio) shares 11 Tips For The 3 Minute Thesis Competition

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• Graduate School

2021 Three-Minute Thesis winners announced

Ten graduate students took the virtual stage this Wednesday in a competition to find out who could best summarize and present years of research in only three minutes. In an event with record-breaking attendance, we learned from finalists about graduate work that spanned Faculties and research fields—from the discovery of novel antimicrobial fabrics that could help reduce the r ate of infections in hospitals to the exploration of new modes of active travel in Vancouver.

The high calibre of presentations meant the task of selecting three winners was very difficult. After long and thoughtful deliberation, our panel of guest judges declared the winners:

First place: Tebogo T. Leepile , PhD in Integrated Studies in Land & Food Systems, MyData_MyVoice: Prevalence of Anemia among San Women and Young Children in Rural Botswana,  Dr Eduardo Jovel & Dr Crystal Karakochuk

"Hard work pays! Diversity and representation are important and possible in UBC! I am humbled and honored; I never imagined that I could win the 3MT, especially at a reputable institution like UBC, in a sea of extremely talented individuals! May this win inspire others particularly, the Black, the African, and the wider international student community, to consider the 3MT in the future. The experience will definitely change your life! May this achievement also motivate women and young girls to pursue their dreams with full zest; all things are possible!"

First place also advances to the Western Regional 3MT. This year’s event will be hosted by Athabasca University.  Watch Tebogo present live online Thursday, May 13th, 2021, at 12PM PDT.

Runner-up: Jennifer Ferris , PhD in Rehabilitation Science,  Peering into the aging brain , Dr. Lara Boyd

“The 3MT competition was a great opportunity to learn about effective communication of my research. I loved learning about the amazing variety of research being done at UBC by my fellow presenters!” 

Third place and People’s Choice: Sarah Morris , PhD in Physics, Using advanced MRI to track myelin loss after spinal cord injury,  Dr. Cornelia Laule 

"I found the process of motivating my thesis research and condensing it into 3 minutes really thought-provoking and it reminded me again why I like the research I do. Thinking about how to remove jargon and make my story as compelling as possible taught me a lot about science communication."

Our other finalists in order of appearance:  

• Ben Dantzer , PhD in Human Development, Learning, and Culture, Closing the Mentorship Gap through Youth-Initiated Mentoring, Dr. Nancy Perry 
• Taylor Wright , PhD in Chemistry, Discovery of Novel Antimicrobial Fabrics, Dr. Michael Wolf 
• Nejat Hassen , MSc in Population and Public Health, Health-Related Quality of Life in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients, Dr. Diane Lacaille 
• Justin Wyss , PhD in Biomedical Engineering, A Soft Flexible and Stretchable Pressure Sensor Array Designed for the Prevention of Pressure Ulcer Formation, Dr. John Madden & Dr. Babak Shadgan 
• Amir Hassanpour , PhD in Civil Engineering, New Modes of Active Travel in Metro Vancouver, Dr. Alex Bigazzi 
• Andy An , MD/PhD in Microbiology and Immunology, Identifying Mechanisms of Persistent Immune Dysfunction in Sepsis Survivors, Dr. Bob Hancock 
• Meaghan Efford , PhD in Oceans and Fisheries, Archaeological investigations and Tsleil-Waututh Science: reconstructing pre-colonial ecosystems, Dr. Villy Christensen 

Thank you to our participants, judges, hosts, and organizers 

3MT depends on organizers, hosts, judges, presenters, and volunteers from many UBC faculties, departments and units. This year, over 110 students took part in preliminary virtual 3MT heats organized by various faculties and departments. Twenty-six graduate students progressed to the virtual semi-final competitions, and 10 moved on to the final. Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time to present, judge, organize or support a 3MT event. 3MT would not be possible without the dedication and hard work of so many. The 2021 judging panel at the final had the hardest job of all: 

• Saranaz Barforoush, PhD, Assistant Professor of Teaching, School of Journalism, Writing, and Media 
• Ainsley Carry, MEd, MBA, EdD, Vice-President Students 
• Peter Simpson, PhD, Dean, College of Graduate Studies, UBC Okanagan; Professor, Physics 
• Karine Souffez, MSc, Associate Director, Knowledge Exchange, Office of the VP Research & Innovation 

Our final was hosted by Dr. Matthew Evenden, Professor, Department of Geography, and Associate Vice-President, Research and Innovation. 

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/images/cornell/logo35pt_cornell_white.svg" alt="3 minute thesis canada"> Cornell University --> Graduate School

Three minute thesis.

Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a competition for doctoral students to develop and showcase their research communication skills.

3MT Competition

Could you present your 80,000 word thesis or dissertation in three minutes? Do you want the excitement of competing with other graduate students for a total of $2,500 in prizes and the opportunity to participate in the Northeastern (U.S. and Canadian) round or even to showcase your research at the annual Council of Graduate Schools meeting?

 3MT is an annual competition sponsored by the Cornell Graduate School. 3MT challenges research-degree students to present a compelling story on their dissertation or thesis and its significance in just three minutes, in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience. All enrolled doctoral students at the research stage (with at least some results to share) are eligible. In 2024, the Graduate School 3MT is also open to research master’s students. The next competition will take place in Spring 2025.

Learn more about the 2024 Graduate School 3MT competition.

Email [email protected] with any questions.

All newly created videos on this website are accessible. Closed captions are available for the video on this page, and selecting the option to watch in YouTube will provide a transcript for the video. For an accommodation for this archival video, please contact [email protected] .

The first 3MT was held at The University of Queensland (UQ) in 2008 with 160 graduate students competing. Enthusiasm for the 3MT concept grew, and its adoption by numerous universities led to the development of an international competition in 2010. Today students from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the Asia-Pacific region take part in their own regional and national events.

Cornell Graduate School hosted its ninth 3MT competition final round event on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Video submissions for the preliminary round was due on March 1, 2024, and was reviewed by a panel of volunteer judges using a common scoring rubric to select the finalists.

At the final round event, held in person on the Ithaca campus, a panel of judges scored presentations and selected the top two finalists. Additionally, audience members were able to vote for their favorite presenter for the People’s Choice Award.

3MT Resources

• Watch videos of finalists from Cornell’s 3MT contests .
• Learn more about the 2024 3MT winners and finalists .
• Learn more about the 2023 3MT winners and finalists .
• Learn more about the 2022 3MT winner and finalists .
• Learn more about the 2021 3MT winner and finalists .
• Learn more about the 2019 3MT winner and finalists .
• Learn more about the 2018 3MT winner and finalists .
• Learn more about the 2017 3MT winner and finalists .
• Watch a video of the inaugural 2019 Ivy 3MT event . Read more about the 2019 Ivy 3MT event .
• Watch videos of winning presentations from around the world .
• Read more about the Three Minute Thesis in Science Magazine .
• Presentations are limited to three minutes maximum and competitors exceeding three minutes are disqualified.
• Presentations are to be spoken word (i.e. no poems, raps, or songs).
• Presentations are considered to have commenced when presenters start their presentation through movement or speech.
• Presentations are to commence from the stage.
• A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted (no slide transitions, animations or ‘movement’ of any kind) and is to be presented from the beginning of the oration.
• No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.
• No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
• Zoom backgrounds are considered props. Please ensure your background is a blank screen or wall. 
• The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.

Judging Criteria

Each of the judging criteria has equal weight. Note what each criterion has in common: An emphasis on audience.

Comprehension and Content

• Did the presentation provide a clear background and significance to the research question?
• Did the presentation clearly describe the research strategy/design and the results/findings of the research?
• Did the presentation clearly describe the conclusions, outcomes, and impact of the research?

Engagement and Communication

• Was the oration delivered clearly, and in language appropriate for a non-specialist audience?
• Was the PowerPoint slide clear and did it enhance the presentation?
• Did the presenter convey enthusiasm for their research, and capture and maintain the audience’s attention?

For more information about the Cornell competition, email  [email protected] .

• Level : university

UNIVERSITY OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND Graduate student in engineering wins 2024 UPEI 3-Minute Thesis competition

Ant-inspired robots, the experiences of temporary foreign workers on PEI, and modelling for energy efficiency cost savings for property owners were the focus of prize-winning 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) presentations by UPEI graduate students on April 11, 2024.

The 3MT competition challenges graduate students to explain their thesis within three minutes and in a format that a general audience can understand. The winner earns a place at the regional 3MT competition in Quebec City on June 7, and the top three presenters receive prize money.

Dr. Greg Naterer, UPEI Vice-President, Academic and Research, congratulates the winners of the recent UPEI 3-Minute Thesis competition. Eliza MacLauchlan (left) won second place; Noushad Ahamed Chittoor Mohammed (second from right) third place; and Duy Nguyen (right) first place.

Seven graduate students presented an overview of their thesis research to judges, friends, fellow graduate students, faculty, and staff. They highlighted their research questions, methods, results, and the potential current and future impacts of their research.

Duy Nguyen, an MSc in Sustainable Design Engineering student, won first prize for his presentation "When Ants Inspire Robots: Engineering Swarm Intelligence for the Future of Collaborative Object Transportation." He will represent UPEI at the regional competition.

Nguyen's research involved the use of multiple mobile robots to transport goods in daily life settings, such as heavy objects in factories and warehouses. Earlier this year, he won the Best Student Paper Award for this project during the 16th IEEE/SICE International Symposium on System Integration held in Vietnam.

Eliza MacLauchlan, a Master of Arts in Island Studies student, took second place for her presentation about the experiences of temporary foreign workers on PEI. Noushad Ahamed Chittoor Mohammed, an MSc in Sustainable Design Engineering student, won third for his presentation about modelling for energy efficiency cost savings for property owners.

Judging the presentations were Dr. Greg Naterer, Vice-President, Academic and Research; Dr. Marva Sweeney-Nixon, Associate Vice-President Research and Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies; and Maria Steele, Manager of Research Services.

Congratulations to all participants!

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Research on risks of excessive supplements wins three-minute thesis competition

• 30 days ago
• Duration 3:08

Ph.D. candidate Parisa Varshosaz won Laurentian University’s three-minute thesis competition describing her research on some supplements and their link to certain birth defects.

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three minute thesis

Watch finalist vanja vekic present her three-minute thesis.

Linguistics graduate student Vanja Vekic presented her research "Harry Potter and the Existential There" at the 2024 SFU Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) Finals on April 4th. 

Vanja's research aims to unite linguistics, creative writing, and translation by studying the use of English existentials in the Harry Potter series. She also studied the ways that existentals are used in the translations of this series into French, Mandarin, and Serbian.

Check out the video!

Read more about our graduate programs . 

Learn about the four streams of our ma program:  accelerated  thesis-based  project-based  course-based.

Annual Three-Minute Thesis Competition Provides Research Capsule Talks

Creating an elevator pitch from information gleaned through years of specialized research takes clear thinking, precise wording and a flair for presenting to an audience. Just ask the participants of this year’s Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. Ten graduate and doctoral students took part in the contest’s final round last month.  

3MT provides participants with the chance to share details about their research and creative work in a compelling way—within a three-minute time limit. It was first developed by the University of Queensland in Australia and is now held at colleges and universities around the world.   

“3MT forces students to come up with ways to describe their research succinctly to non-specialists in a way that is not just comprehensible, but is also interesting and engaging. That’s a skill set that will pay off on the job market, and even beyond, as far as interacting with the media and others who can help disseminate your work and findings more broadly,” says Glenn Wright, executive director of career and professional development for the Graduate School, who runs the competition.  

Nimisha Thakur

This year’s top winner is Nim isha Thakur , a Ph.D. student in anthropology, whose topic was “ River Song: Riverine Futures Amidst Climate Change on the Brahmaputra Floodplains .” Thakur, a graduate research associate at the South Asia Center in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs , won a 16-inch MacBook Pro M3 and a year membership in the Anthropological Association of America. Thakur also has the chance to represent Syracuse University in the regional 3MT competition hosted by the Northeastern Association of Graduate Schools.   

Qingyang Liu

Qingyang Liu , a Ph.D. student in human developm ent and family science, was named the “People’s Choice” winner by audience vote. Liu conducts research in the SELF Regulation Laboratory in  the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics . Her topic was “ Material Hardship’s Influence on Self-Regulation Across Childhood: Which Hardship Truly Matters ?” The prize was a set of Bose noise-cancelling headphones.   

Additional finalists were:   

• Caroline Barraco , master’s student in history, “Authenticity, Commodity and Empire in the Early Modern Spanish Relic Trade”  
• Yener Çağla Çimendereli , Ph.D. student in philosophy, “Nonnative Speaking and Linguistic Justice”  
• Nicholas Croce , Ph.D. student in social science, “America’s Forgotten Labor Colony Experiment”  
• Nardini Jhawar , Ph.D. student in clinical psychology, “Racial Reflections: Examining ADHD Help-Seeking Among Asian American College Students”  
• Matthew D. O’Leary , Ph.D. student in anthropology, “Entangled Frontiers: Capitalism and Artifacts of Power at Fort St. Frédéric”  
• Andrew Ridgeway , Ph.D. student in composition and cultural rhetoric, “Evil We Desire: Akrasia and Conspiracy Rhetoric”  
• Paul Sagoe , Ph.D. student in biomedical engineering, “From Joint Pain to Joy Gain: Delivering Drugs for Osteoarthritis Cure”’  
• Julia Zeh , Ph.D. student in biology, “From Baby Babbles to Masterful Melodies: Investigating Vocal Development in Humpback Whales”  

Judges were Sarah Hamersma, associate professor and director of doctoral studies in public administration and international affairs, and Chung-Chin Eugene Liu, assistant professor of economics, both of the Maxwell School; and Corey Williams, a Syracuse City School District employee and a Common Councilor for Syracuse’s Third District.

Diane Stirling

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Graduate student in engineering wins 2024 UPEI 3-Minute Thesis competition

Ant-inspired robots, the experiences of temporary foreign workers on PEI, and modelling for energy efficiency cost savings for property owners were the focus of prize-winning 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) presentations by UPEI graduate students on April 11, 2024.

The 3MT competition challenges graduate students to explain their thesis within three minutes and in a format that a general audience can understand. The winner earns a place at the regional 3MT competition in Quebec City on June 7, and the top three presenters receive prize money.

Seven graduate students presented an overview of their thesis research to judges, friends, fellow graduate students, faculty, and staff. They highlighted their research questions, methods, results, and the potential current and future impacts of their research.

Duy Nguyen, an MSc in Sustainable Design Engineering student, won first prize for his presentation “When Ants Inspire Robots: Engineering Swarm Intelligence for the Future of Collaborative Object Transportation.” He will represent UPEI at the regional competition.

Nguyen’s research involved the use of multiple mobile robots to transport goods in daily life settings, such as heavy objects in factories and warehouses. Earlier this year, he won the Best Student Paper Award for this project during the 16th IEEE/SICE International Symposium on System Integration held in Vietnam.

Eliza MacLauchlan, a Master of Arts in Island Studies student, took second place for her presentation about the experiences of temporary foreign workers on PEI. Noushad Ahamed Chittoor Mohammed, an MSc in Sustainable Design Engineering student, won third for his presentation about modelling for energy efficiency cost savings for property owners.

Judging the presentations were Dr. Greg Naterer, Vice-President Academic and Research; Dr. Marva Sweeney-Nixon, Associate Vice-President Research and Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies; and Maria Steele, Manager, Research Services. 

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Graduate Education

Office of graduate and postdoctoral education, three minutes, infinite impact: 2024 3mt winners announced.

Apr 10, 2024

The ninth annual Georgia Tech Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition concluded on Friday, April 5, where 12 scholars shared their groundbreaking research through electrifying and informative three-minute-long presentations. Four graduate students emerged victorious, each winner taking home research travel grants.

Congratulations to the 2024 Three Minute Thesis Winners:

Master's Winner

Karina Bhattacharya, MID, Industrial Design

The master’s category winner won a $1,000 research travel grant.

Overall  Ph.D. Winner

Alexandra Patterson, Ph.D. Bioengineering

First Runner Up

Kantwon Rogers, Ph.D. Computer Science

Second Runner Up

Valeria Juarez, Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering

The first-place Ph.D. winner won a $2,000 research travel grant. The Ph.D. first runner-up

Won a $1,500 research travel grant, and the second runner-up won a $1,000 runner-up grant.

First runner-up, Kantwon Rogers also won the coveted People's Choice award,

which earned him an additional $500 research travel grant.

The Office of Graduate Education coordinates tech’s 3MT competition in partnership with the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), The Naugle Communications Center, and the Language Institute. For more information about this year’s 3MT Competition, visit grad.gatech.edu/3mt .

Brittani Hill

Marketing Communications Manager

Office of Graduate Education

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Build full-body strength at home with this 16-minute kettlebell workout

3 moves, 16 minutes to work your whole body

If you’re short on time but still want to fit in a full-body training session, this 16-minute kettlebell workout is the perfect match. 

Using one of the  best kettlebells  for home workouts and weightlifting, this three-move workout, designed by personal trainer and coach Gabe West , will help you raise your heart rate, build muscle, and condition your body from head to toe.

To complete this workout, West uses a 24kg kettlebell. However, the weight you choose will depend on your kettlebell experience and current fitness level. If you’ve got an adjustable kettlebell, play around with the weight until it feels right.

Or, if you’re yet to master  how to hold a kettlebell properly , it’s a good idea to learn the right techniques. It's also worth rolling out  yoga mat  to help provide a stable surface and protect your floors from kettlebell damage. Then you're ready to go. 

Watch Gabe West's 16-minute kettlebell workout

This kettlebell workout uses three moves to help you build functional strength and muscle. It uses an  every-minute-on-the-minute  (EMOM) format, which is a form of interval training. The aim is to complete a certain number of reps inside 60 seconds and however many seconds you have left in that minute you’ll use it as rest. 

On the odd minutes of this workout (so the first, third and fifth minute, and so on) you’ll perform all three exercises on your left-hand side. Then on the even minutes of this workout (so the second, fourth and sixth minute, and so on) you’ll perform all three exercises on your right-hand side. 

“If you manage to complete all the moves inside the minute, you’ll have the remaining seconds to rest,” West explains. So, if it takes you 30 seconds to do all three exercises, you’ll get 30 seconds to catch your breath before you swap hands and complete the same three exercises on the opposite side.  

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As is the case with all types of exercise, it’s a good idea to master the moves before you carry them out. To help you complete this workout with the correct form, be sure to watch West’s video demonstrations and listen to his tips.

1. Square stance single-arm row

This move follows the similar format of a  single-arm dumbbell row , which you might already practice at home with a pair of  adjustable dumbbells  or in a gym. But in this workout, you’ll be using a kettlebell as your weight. 

• Start by bringing your feet shoulder-width apart and the kettlebell between your feet. 
• Embrace your core and maintain a flat back with your shoulders parallel to the floor as you bend down to grip the kettlebell with your left hand and pull it towards your hip.
• Lower the weight back down again for your first rep. Repeat. 

West says: “As soon as you complete your fifth rep, take a small step back away from your kettlebell and hike it in between your legs for your kettlebell swings.”

2. Single-arm kettlebell swings

Kettlebell swings  might be a hip hinge movement, but they’ll target muscles from your head to your toes, hitting your hamstrings, glutes, pecs, traps, deltoids, core and back. 

• Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and a kettlebell in front of you. Bend your knees and hold the kettlebell with your left hand. 
• Brace your core as you swing the kettlebell back between your legs and then out in front of you to chest height, engaging your glutes and your abs as you do so. 
• Now let the weight fall back down and swing it between your legs for the next rep. 

“Keep your hips and knees fully extended at the top of the movement with a nice flat back. If your kettlebell is passing below your knees, wait for your form to make contact with your hip as it falls from the top of the swing to maximize power output from your hips and keep your lower back safe,” notes West. 

3. Kettlebell snatches

The humble kettlebell snatch is one of the  best kettlebell exercises for beginners  — and for good reason. It’s a full-body exercise that will work all your major muscles, including your core, hamstrings, glutes, hips and quads. 

• Have your feet hip-width apart and place a kettlebell on the floor between them. 
• Grip the kettlebell with your left hand and send your hips back while keeping your back flat. In one movement, swing the weight between your legs, lifting your hips and straightening the knees.
• As the weight comes forward, shrug the left shoulder and swing the kettlebell upwards, with your arm above your head. 
• Embrace your core as you flip the kettlebell over your hand (so it rests on the back of your hand) with your arm locked above your head. 
• Flip the kettlebell back to the front as you lower your arm back down. 

West says: “If you find that the kettlebell is slapping your forearm at the top of the movement, emphasize rotating your thumb backward on your backswing and rotating your thumb upwards towards the sky as you insert your hand through the handle on your upswing.”

More from Tom’s Guide

• Forget sit-ups — 9 kettlebell ab exercises that will torch your core
• This full-body kettlebell workout strengthens your core in 4 moves and 8 minutes
• Forget burpees — build muscle all over with one kettlebell and these four moves

Becks is a lifestyle journalist who specializes in writing about wellness and home products, from mattresses to weighted blankets and cooling comforters. She has tested a number of mattresses for Tom's Guide, putting them through their paces to see if they stand up to the brand's claims, and offering recommendations as to the type of sleeper they will (and won't) suit. 

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